MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Southern New Hampshire University field hockey team dropped a 6-0 decision to Dowling College at Larkin Field on Saturday. The Penmen fall to 1-3 after the setback, while the Golden Lions improve to 2-6. 

Dowling freshman Justine DeLuca (West Islip, N.Y.) led the offensive attack with three goals, while sophomore Elizabeth Athing (Atlantique, Fire Island, N.Y.) scored twice and picked up an assist.

SNHU junior goalkeeper Cassandra Nickerson (Newton, N.H.) made three saves in the game's first 45:38, and freshman Jill Piacitelli (East Greenwich, R.I.) turned aside two shots in the final 24:22. 

The two teams traded offensive opportunities through the majority of the first half before the Golden Lions cracked the scoreboard first. With 9:13 remaining in the opening stanza, DeLuca redirected a Zoe Norton (Sayville, N.Y.) crossing pass into the back of the cage for her first of the season.

Just 1:16 later, Athing extended the Dowling lead to a pair. After having her initial shot turned aside, Athing corralled the rebound and tucked it inside the far post. Dowling pushed its lead to 3-0 before the half with just under four and a half minutes to go. Off a penalty corner, sophomore Amanda DeGennaro (Wading River, N.Y.) fired a shot on goal that was stopped. DeLuca emerged from the ensuing scrum in front to flip the ball to the back of the net for her second of the half.

DeLuca completed her hat trick 4:23 into the second half, as she hooked up with Norton again to push the Dowling lead to four. Norton charged down the near side and slid a pass across the middle that DeLuca was able to convert.

The Golden Lions picked up their fifth goal with 12:56 remaining. Sophomore Arianna Shams-Kollar (Poway, Calif.) took a feed off a penalty corner and sent it to classmate Sarah Shams-Kollar (Poway, Calif.), who sent a reverse sweep shot through traffic to the back of the goal for her first of the season.

Dowling concluded the scoring with just over four minutes left in the second half. Sophomore Jillian Barbieri (Lake Grove, N.Y.) picked up a loose ball out of a scramble in front of the Penmen cage and sent a shot to the far post for her third of the season.

Junior Ariana Ovadia (East Meadow, N.Y.) recorded nine saves for the Golden Lions, who held a 20-14 edge in shots as well as a 17-7 edge in penalty corners. 

The Penmen are back in action on Friday, as they head to Bentley University for a 7 p.m. face-off with the Falcons. Dowling travels to Limestone College on Oct. 3 for its next game, a 6 p.m. showdown with the Saints.

For the latest on Southern New Hampshire University athletics, follow the Penmen via social media on Twitter (@snhupenmen), Facebook (www.facebook.com/snhupenmen), Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/snhupenmen) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/snhupenmen).  Sign up to receive text message alerts and email newsletters about your favorite Penmen teams here: http://www.snhupenmen.com/list-signup.